about us

Hi, I'm Alina.

I've struggled with acne since I was 12 years old and deeply understand the emotional journey of navigating life with chronic skin issues.

Throughout the years I have experimented with countless treatments, products, diets and protocols. I've spent literal lifetimes down the internet rabbit hole googling causes and solutions, only to be repeatedly disappointed after nothing ever worked.

The most radical healing I've experienced (external and internal) has been through shifting my relationship to my skin, regulating my stress response, and befriending the fragmented parts of myself.

Today my skin isn't 'perfect' and I remain in process - learning to alchemize my story of shame towards a story of self-love.

Me - January 10th, 2019.

I'm devastated, frustrated, and hopeless. It's my 26th birthday and all I want to do is crawl under my covers and hide from the world (which I did.)

What's wrong with me? I'm doing all the "right" things. I don't eat gluten, dairy or sugar, I exercise, prioritize sleep, take a zillion supplements, and avoid anything that could possibly cause a breakout.

The missing piece? A nervous system that was caught in a chronic state of survival.

When I stopped trying so hard to fix my acne and softened into surrender ...my skin listened and responded.

Slowly I stopped cancelling plans, calling in sick, and putting my life on hold until my skin was clear.

I started noticing my patterns of dysregulation and learned strategies to shift into a felt sense of safety.
I continue to make space for the painful skin experiences of my past to be seen and processed. My skin journey has evolved from control to curiosity and compassion.

FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE TO PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE

Alina and Tania both have a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education and a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy, with a combined 20+ years of clinical experience as Occupational Therapists.

Alina has trained in multiple mind-body modalities including yoga, heart math for stress and anxiety, and cognitive behavioural therapy. For a full list of her trainings and certifications click here.

Tania has also trained in many mind-body modalities including several psychotherapy techniques, trauma yoga, and hypnosis.

For a full list of her training and certifications click here.

CREDENTIALS

academic background

BACHELOR OF PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION WITH SPECIALIZATION IN HEALTH PROMOTION (BPHE)

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (MSc. OT)

certifications

My work is supported by certifications in yoga, nervous system regulation, and mind–body approaches to healing, including:

Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200), JAI Yoga and Ayurveda
Integrative Lifestyle Medicine Certificate, Living Well Institute
Pain Reprocessing Therapy Certified, Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center
HeartMath Certified Practitioner, Heart Math Institute
LoveYourBrain Yoga Certified, LoveYourBrain Foundation

continuing education

I continue to deepen my practice through ongoing training in evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches, including:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (3-day workshop) — Steven Hayes, Institute of Contextual Psychology
Trauma-Informed Yoga (2-day workshop) — David Emerson, Center for Trauma and Embodiment
Integrative Psychotherapy (2-day workshop) — CAOT
Rewiring the Mind–Body Connection: Neuroplasticity & Nervous System Regulation in Occupational Therapy (1-day workshop) — CAOT

CREDENTIALS

academic background

BACHELOR OF PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION WITH SPECIALIZATION IN HEALTH PROMOTION
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

certifications

My work is supported by certifications in yoga, nervous system regulation, and mind–body approaches to healing, including:

Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200)
Integrative Lifestyle Medicine Certificate, Living Well Institute
Pain Reprocessing Therapy Certified
HeartMath Certified Practitioner
LoveYourBrain Yoga Certified

continuing education

I continue to deepen my practice through ongoing training in evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches, including:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy — Steven Hayes, Institute of Contextual Psychology
Trauma-Informed Yoga — David Emerson, Center for Trauma and Embodiment
Integrative Psychotherapy — CAOT
Rewiring the Mind–Body Connection: Neuroplasticity & Nervous System Regulation in Occupational Therapy — CAOT

about us

Hi, I'm Alina.

Me - January 10th, 2019.

When I stopped trying so hard to fix my acne and softened into surrender ...my skin listened and responded.

Slowly I stopped cancelling plans, calling in sick, and putting my life on hold until my skin was clear.

I started noticing my patterns of dysregulation and learned strategies to shift into a felt sense of safety. I continue to make space for the painful skin experiences of my past to be seen and processed. My skin journey has evolved from control to curiosity and compassion.

FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE TO PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE

CREDENTIALS

academic background

certifications

My work is supported by certifications in yoga, nervous system regulation, and mind–body approaches to healing, including:

continuing education

I continue to deepen my practice through ongoing training in evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches, including:

CREDENTIALS

academic background

certifications

My work is supported by certifications in yoga, nervous system regulation, and mind–body approaches to healing, including:

continuing education

I continue to deepen my practice through ongoing training in evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches, including:

I started noticing my patterns of dysregulation and learned strategies to shift into a felt sense of safety.
I continue to make space for the painful skin experiences of my past to be seen and processed. My skin journey has evolved from control to curiosity and compassion.